The Massive #21 (Dark Horse): #20 was one of our Top Five Books of February–and deservedly so. Brian Wood and Garry Brown have hit all the right notes leading up to this arc ender–a real “Bloc” buster!

Mind MGMT #20 (Dark Horse): It might seem as if we’re getting paid to say so, but, no, it’s just true: #19 was our #1 book of February. That’s back-to-back top spots! And let’s not forget that #17 was our top single issue of 2013! Innovation has been at the heart of our celebration; in that, we can’t wait to see what Matt Kindt has come up with this time around.

Dead Boy Detectives #4 (DC/Vertigo): So very Vertigo, isn’t it? Has hooked me much in the same way John Ney Rieber hooked me with The Books of Magic ongoing back in the day. I love how the three narrative voices come together–kind of like the comic book version of Peter, Paul, and Mary.

Dead Boy Detectives #4

The Sandman: Overture #2 (DC/Vertigo): I’m already over its being overdue. I’m not much of a Gaimanite. It’s all about J.H. Williams for me. His art is always welcome in my bag.

The Wake #7 (DC/Vertigo): Can’t say that I understand the celebratory waves left in the wake of the first five issues. But what I can say with certainty is that I liked #6 quite a bit–despite some expository dialogue that smacks of a Sci-Fi original movie. The clever cliffhanger–one of several selling points of #6–calls quickly–too quickly?–to mind what’s come before, making this month’s offering as crucial as can be. The danger: doling out too much or too little here in #7. Snyder’s got to play this one just right.

Alex + Ada #5 (Image): Sure, the forum discussion gets a tad technical, but it is easily chalked up as a necessary evil–one rehabilitated almost immediately by Jonathan Luna’s patient visual storytelling, which, along with complementing well Sarah Vaughn’s more economical approach to the dialogue, accentuates the suspense born of Alex’s choice to reboot Ada. Love the way the issue ends: I’m pretty sure my eyes widened–like Ada’s–in anticipation of that final page turn, which revealed, to my dismay, a suffering Ada. Kudos to Luna and Vaughn for making me suffer along with Ada in the moment and along with Alex for the last month or so. I’m desperate to discover how this pans out for the two of them three of us.

Alex + Ada #5

Fatale #21 (Image): This siren song of a series hit a high note with #20–our #2 book of February. Yet another insistent miracle from Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. Not yet willing to accept that Josephine’s story is coming to an end.

Fatale #21

The Manhattan Projects #19 (Image): Can you guess which part of #18 I appreciated the most? If you’ve been following our blog for a while, you know exactly which sequence left me squealing with joy–a hole lot of joy! (Hint: it’s not the one in Oppenheimer’s head.)

Satellite Sam #7 (Image): With #6, it’s back to business and, as a result, a return to form. Matt Fraction’s writing is crisp, the dialogue an intricate dance; Howard Chaykin’s artwork is–as always–out of this world.

Hawkeye #18 (Marvel): Has been a wild ride number-wise, and, as a result, storyline-wise. #17 was kind of fun in a frivolous and furry way. Speaking of: it’s time for another Kate Bishop singleton! Starting to wonder if I’m buying this for Fraction or for his Hawkeye. I’m leaning toward the latter. That’s right: I’m the Leaning Reader of Hawkeye–who may pass on Clint-less copy.

The Bunker #2 (Oni Press): An interesting premise, naturally complicated by the time-travel aspect, delivered with relative ease by Joshua Hale Fialkov and Joe Infurnari. Looking forward to this one.

The Bunker #2

Doc Savage #4 (Dynamite): Still haven’t read the first three.

The Midas Flesh #4 (BOOM!): #2 was one of our top books of January. #3 didn’t crack our list for February, but it was solid follow-up that gleefully gave us all the finger–Midas’s finger. That’s some serious WMD: Weaponized Midas Digit. Talk about the spoils of war! The blood is the treasure!

Uber Special #1 (Avatar): I’m still diggin’ Uber. Not too sure how much we need a “special,” though.

Can’t buy ’em all. That’s why I narrow it down to a select many every week.

Dark Horse Presents #34 (Dark Horse): A pricey pick, that’s for sure; but a gotta grab because Dean Motter’s magnificent Mister X is making his much anticipated return to the DHU. And we love us some Mister X: if you didn’t already know–and you’d be in rare company–Mister X: Eviction was our #1 book of 2013.

Dark Horse Presents #34

Skyman #3 (Dark Horse): Has been OK. My interest level in this book increased exponentially after reading Joshua Hale Fialkov’s The Bunker. Makes this a bit of a potential pick. Thing is, as a four-issue mini, Skyman might not have the time to realize that potential. On a positive note, I’m willing to go the distance because it’s a mini. Wouldn’t have been so willing if it had been an ongoing.

The Witcher #1 (Dark Horse): Capable horror scribe Paul Tobin (Colder) makes it a maybe. The fact that it’s based on a video game makes it a maybe not. May also pass on this one.

American Vampire: Second Cycle #1 (DC/Vertigo): I’ve been looking forward to this! Oh, sure, I bashed Batman a time or two and have been mostly put to sleep by The Wake (that is until #6, which was, pretty much, in The Wake world, anyhow, the equivalent of a cold shower!). But that doesn’t mean I’m a Snyder hater; in fact, I happen to love American Vampire. Consumed ’em all in trade form and am ready for the next course!

Animal Man #29 (DC): Jumped off a while ago. Wondering if it’s worth picking up seeing as it’s the last issue and all. Love Lemire’s cover:

Suicide Squad #29 (DC): Hasn’t been as good as I had hoped it’d be with Kindt in command. Riding out his run, anyway.

Wonder Woman #29 (DC): It’s no surprise that this is the only New 52 book I’ve stuck with–without missing an issue–from #1. It’s no myth: Brian Azzarello has made a monthly living of being good. Of drawing out the story, sure, but of being good, nevertheless.

A Voice in the Dark #5 (Image): Well, I certainly didn’t celebrate #4. (Check out my review here.) What I have celebrated, however, is the potential that Larime Taylor has shown–especially in a terrific #2. Here, I’m hoping to see more than a return to form: I’m hoping to see improved pacing. This book desperately needs to cut to the chase–and draw some blood in the process.

A Voice in the Dark #5

Fuse #2 (Image): #1 was an offer I could easily refuse–not re-Fuse, mind you. Leaning toward leaving it on the shelf.

Lazarus #7 (Image): #6 was terrific–as always. In it, Rucka and Lark build some serious tension, which neither slacks nor snaps. It’s no wonder that Lazarus was our #7 book of 2013.

Sex Criminals #5 (Image): #4 was a bit of a rebound from a not-so-good #3, which was our Biggest Dis(appointment) of November 2013. I’m going to go one more round and see what happens. Let’s call this my having faith in Fraction. Sure, he’s a mad god; he’s an effing oversexed overlord! But when he’s good, he’s damn good. If Fraction’s big three books were a menage a trois–ain’t they, though?–Sex Criminals would be on the bottom–and loving it, no doubt.

Zero #6 (image): With an arc in the books, er, trades, Zero—our #8 book of 2013–gets back to business with Vanesa Del Rey (artist on BOOM!’s quick Hit) bringing Ales Kot’s vision to life. OK, not going to lie: still not too sure how I feel about how #5 ended. I mean, aliens? Really? Going to have to trust my man Kot on this one.

Zero #6

All-New Ghost Rider #1 (Marvel): My only real exposure to Tradd Moore has been Zero #2, which is my favorite issue of the series thus far. Honesty: I don’t give a boo about Ghost Rider; I’m grabbing this to get a little Moore. We’ll see if the little’ll turn into a lot soon enough.

All-New Ghost Rider #1

Avengers World #4 (Marvel): The series has been mostly blah. Started off well enough, but it seems to have fallen into its “bigger” trap, leaving me asking, “What in the world?” Consider how much bigger my bag promises to be this week, this one might find itself displaced.

Daredevil #1 (Marvel): Speaking of being displaced: time to see what Waid and Samnee have in store for comidom’s newest San Franciscan.

Ms. Marvel #2 (Marvel): I was very surprised by how much I enjoyed #1. Reminded me of my initial experience with Miles Morales and how well Brian Michael Bendis handled–and sold–the character in the face of controversy. In this case, I’m hoping that Wilson and Alphona can keep Kamala out of the editorial web that ultimately ensnared Miles.

Ms. Marvel #2

Uncanny X-Men #19 (Marvel): Don’t judge me.

Winter Soldier: The Bitter March #2 (Marvel): Probably not. I didn’t really care for the first one. And after Remender’s Deadly Class #2, I’ve pretty well given up hope that he can deliver something that interests me.

X-Men #12 (Marvel): OK. Now you may judge me. You know, the series started off on such a nostalgic note, and I bought right into it. Felt like the X-book I had been waiting for since coming back to comics. Then came the momentum busting Battle of the Atom. Since then, the damn thing’s been a bit of a mess. I’ll ride out this storyline and decide from there.

Curse #3 (BOOM!): My curse: being unable to quit on a mini if I’m at least two issues in–even if I really don’t care very much about it. That pretty well describes this series for me.

Harbinger #0.2014 (Valiant): Everything you’ve wanted to know about the Bleeding Monk but were afraid to ask.

Harbinger #0.2014

Letter 44 #5 (Oni Press): Still loving President Blades, and right now that’s all that matters to me.

Shadowman #16 (Valiant): A monthly mystery: I don’t care a lick about any of the characters and I’m often vexed by all the voodoo; but I still like it. A major selling point: Roberto De La Torre’s art. It really suits Peter Milligan’s turn on the book.

The Sixth Gun #39 (Oni Press): I’m almost caught up! I’ve got three more issues to rock out. Know what? There’s no reason why I shouldn’t read through them tonight. There you go: I’m going to read them tonight; and I will read this one first. How’s that? Oh, and, umm, just in case you didn’t know already: it’s good. Really good. As I’ve mentioned in recent posts: the team of Bunn and Hurtt will go down as one of the greats of the modern era–maybe even of all time–because of the terrific work they’ve done on The Sixth Gun.

The Sixth Gun #39

X-O Manowar #23 (Valiant): Has been a solid read from the get-go. Aric’s another one of my favorite characters, and Venditti’s shown a great command of his character in and out of the armor.

Avery’s Pick of the Week

Scribblenauts Unmasked: Crisis of Imagination #3 (DC): My daughter has enjoyed the first two issues well enough. By “enjoyed” I mean “not torn the covers off yet.”

Astro City #10 (DC/Vertigo): Busiek’s Winged Victory tour has been a revelation! Hope it soars right to the end.

Royals: Masters of War #2 (DC/Vertigo): #1 was a jolly good show! Rob Williams’ characters were instantly engaging; and Simon Coleby’s art was terrific, like Jae Lee with more detail and without the reliance on silhouettes. Together, they’ve delivered a well-rounded opening salvo filled with “awe,” “exhilaration,” “excitement,” and “fear.” Has a depth that separates it from the very similar Uber, which just so happens to be on tap this week, as well.

Monster & Madman #1 (IDW): Frankenstein’s monster and Jack the Ripper together in the same book? Oh, and Steve Niles as the facilitator? Yes, please!

Monster & Madman #1

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #32 (IDW): Ross Campbell’s surprisingly strong run on the post-“City Fall” arc comes to an end. Good news, though: one of our favorites, the terrific Mateus Santolouco, is back with #33!

East of West #10 (Image): A compelling read that has really started to take off. It’s a solid showcase for Hickman’s serious side, which is a nice counterpoint to his maniacal The Manhattan Projects.

Stray Bullets: Killers #1 (Image): Gonna have to stick this on the ol’ Catch Up pile because…

Stray Bullets Uber Alles Edition (Image): I recently read the first four issues of Stray Bullets on Dave Lapham’s website. Have been waiting for this bad boy ever since. Thanks to my man Derek for pointing me in this direction.

Fantastic Four #2 (Marvel): I’m a fair fella. I put The All-New Invaders out of my mind–only after a bit of a purple purge–and jumped into James Robinson’s reboot of The World’s Greatest Comic Magazine with the optimism of an innocent. As it turned out, it wasn’t bad. It wasn’t fantastic, but it wasn’t bad. Robinson–one of our favorite writers of 2012–set the terms of his take on the cosmic quartet–with fine art from Leonard Kirk–and did so well enough for me to follow along. 4 Now! anyway.

Hawkeye #17 (Marvel): Sure, we’re bee-bopping around a bit, but it doesn’t matter much: wherever Fraction fires his arrows on Hawkeye, they hit the mark emphatically. This departure from the deafening events of #15 promises to be “a raucously adorable and hilarious animated adventure.” Sock it to me!

Secret Avengers #1 (Marvel): The secret’s out: Ales Kot and Michael Walsh are teaming up again (see Zero #1 or the recently released Zero TP) for an Avengers title that I’m really looking forward to. No, really.

Secret Avengers #1

X-Force #2 (Marvel): I didn’t really love #1. Heck, I barely liked it. But I’m going to give it another issue because Si Spurrier has earned my not-so-easily-earned loyalty. (Yes, I’m still riding the high of the meticulously meta Six-Gun Gorilla, one of our favorite books of 2013.)

Death Sentence #6 (Titan): No hyperbole here: this is one issue away from cementing itself as the mini to beat for 2014. Writer Montynero’s made himself a must-read–the result of his brilliant storytelling, his unforgettable characters and his insightful back matter. Mike Dowling’s art–which calls to mind the fabulous Sean Phillips–is the perfect complement to Montynero’s wild, wild words. If you foolishly missed out on this rocking good time, fret not: there’s always the trade.

Uber #10 (Avatar): Still solid. Wondering how long Gillen’s going to go with it. Wonder how long he can go on with it. Fair or not: I’m going to be holding it to Royals: Masters of War. It’s the nature of the business, ain’t it? Yeah, comics are hell.

Unity #5 (Valiant): Looking forward to the new arc, which has not been billed as Kindt, CAFU, and you. Man, it should’ve been.

Veil #1 (Dark Horse): Greg Rucka’s killing it with Lazarus and has Cyclops in his sights. On the strength of the former and in anticipation of the latter, I’m thinking that this one’s a no-brainer.

Trillium #7 (DC/Vertigo): Through six issues, Jeff Lemire has insisted that we turn the page on our own expectations. As excited as I am sad, knowing that–including this one–only two issues of Lemire’s head-spinning layouts are left!

Clone #15 (Image): Clonetopia? Yeah, probably not. David Schulner and Co. have made it clear: happy endings end rather quickly in Clone–often after a single page turn. And what terrific page turns they are: artist Juan Jose Ryp’s attention to detail is astounding–not unlike the great Geof Darrow, no?

Jupiter’s Legacy #4 (Image): If I’m remembering correctly, I thought #3 was all right–certainly enough for me to ignore my oath to pass over any Millar material no matter how shiny. We all know by now that Mark Millar’s not concerned with our experiences as readers of his fine material; he’s too busy generating new ideas like…

Starlight #1 (Image): Of course I’m going to give Mr. Millar another opportunity to frustrate the hell out of me.

Velvet #4 (Image): Brubaker and Epting are taking their time, doing their thing, which is near-perfect cinematic slow-burn espionage.

Velvet #4

Loki: Agent of Asgard #2 (Marvel): I’ve never been a fan of Thor’s corner of the Marvel Universe. Al Ewing, however, has convinced me to extend my visit to a tidy right angle.

Moon Knight #1 (Marvel): I was crushed after the most recent–and mostly crazy–run of Moon Knight–by Bendis and Maleev–came to a close. Now, Warren Ellis and Declan Shalvey are in charge of the lunatic in white. Can’t wait.

Moon Knight #1

Uncanny X-Men #18 (Marvel): Maybe–just maybe–#17 was a hint; maybe it was the nudge I need. See: at the end of the issue, Cyclops kicks David Bond off the team because the new mutant fails to live up to expectations. Maybe–just maybe–I should finally cast this book aside because it hasn’t lived up to my expectations. Then again, Marco Rudy’s art looks ridiculously good. So, another possibility: Fate has kept me around long enough for this!

Afterlife With Archie #4 (Archie): The series has been so good for so many reasons. In fact, #3 was our #5 book of January–and deservedly so: Roberto Aguirre Sacasa’s storytelling–a brilliant balance of Archie and Afterlife–is top-notch, and Francesco Francavilla’s art is a perfect fit.

Afterlife With Archie #4

Archer & Armstrong #18 (Valiant): #17 was a rare sideways step for Fred Van Lente. It certainly wasn’t what we were hoping for from one of our favorite books of 2013. Wouldn’t you know: I liked #0.2014 a lot; in fact, it turned out to be one of my favorite origin issues, like, ever.

The Twilight Zone #3 (Dynamite): Has been surprisingly good. Certainly Straczynski’s best work–of the current batch, anyway. The shine, however, was taken off a bit after I read Sidekick #5. Seems Straczynski’s borrowing from himself–and he sure as heck isn’t being subtle about it! Sure, I’ve seen creators who have borrowed from themselves, usually from past work, but this is just silly: Sidekick and Twilight Zone are concurrent titles, for goodness sake! OK. OK. Wait a sec. Is this the Twilight Zone? Oh, well. Still want to see how this plays out.